College football: St. Norbert focuses on present

By Paul Adamski
Press-Gazette correspondent

DE PERE — With his St. Norbert College football team starting to play up to expectations, coach Jim Purtill said his team can’t worry about what might have been.

“I’m a day-to-day guy,” Purtill said. “I’m not worried about anything but playing a good game (today).” - College Football -

SNC (3-2 overall, 3-1 in the Midwest Conference) takes the short ride to Appleton today for a battle with conference foe Lawrence University (1-3, 1-3 MWC) at the historic Banta Bowl.

With a loss to conference-leading Monmouth College (4-0, 4-0) on the books, Purtill’s squad most likely needs to win the rest of its games and get some help if it hopes to win a record seventh consecutive conference championship. Purtill, however, is concerned only about his team.

“Monmouth has got the lead, but if I was really worried about it, I’d know who it was playing,” Purtill said. “I don’t know who they are playing this week and I don’t care. It’s going to be an emotional game against Lawrence, and that is what we are worried about.” - College Football -

Purtill knows his team can’t afford to let its guard down, and not just because of the conference standings. - College Football -

While the Vikings are far from being a MWC power, they generally are competitive at the Banta Bowl. Moreover, SNC has struggled there. Two years ago, SNC’s eked out a 28-24 win.

For added intrigue, Lawrence coach Chris Howard coordinated St. Norbert’s defense the previous three seasons, and four of his assistants were players or coaches for the Green Knights.

“(Lawrence) plays well at home,” Purtill said. “They are historically bad on the road, but good at home. They are 1-0 at home this year and 0-3 on the road, but have played well in those games — a seven-point loss to Knox and a one-point loss to Beloit. They are trying to build a program there and are doing well.” - College Football -

SNC is coming off its longest road game of the year, an 850-mile round trip to Jacksonville, Ill., to face Illinois College, so today’s short trek to Appleton will be appreciated.

“It’s a home schedule for us,” Purtill said. “We’ll have a normal pregame, eat here ... it works out nice.” - College Football -

What would be especially nice, in Purtill’s eyes, would be another strong performance after the Green Knights won their last two games by a cumulative 76-13. - College Football -

“We’re not worried (about the conference) right now,” Purtill said. “I’m pleased with the direction of the squad ... we’ve won two straight and hopefully we’ll get a third (today).”

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